The 28-year-old said the sentence will discourage anybody "who would even half-consider going to the gardai or through the courts" on the issue of sex abuse.

"There was no justice done today for me, but it is not just me. There was no justice for others too whether they are male, female, LGBT or any other type of victim of sexual violence. I waived my right to anonymity because I wanted to raise awareness.''

She said the circumstances surrounding her case may be "unusual", but the sexual acts committed by her boyfriend at the time "are not".

Ms Nic Dhomhnaill, who was suffering from an illness at the time of her relationship, said she did not believe the criminal justice system has the necessary respect for victims.

The facts of the case only emerged when Magnus Meyer Hustveit (25) wrote to his former partner stating that he had been using her "body for my gratification" for nearly a year.

The Norwegian, previously of Leo Street, North Circular Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one of sexual assault at a place in Dublin between 2011 and 2012.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the most significant features of the case were the deceit, the repetition of the offences and the effect on the victim.